How To Get Ahead - The Futureheads

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Having just returned from supporting fellow Art-Rock super group Franz Ferdinand in America, The Futurehead’s are currently doing a bit of headlining for themselves on a short Tour of the UK. Gigwise caught up with bassist Jaff for a bit of a chat before their recent sell out Liverpool show.   Gigwise: You’ve just returned from America, is it good to be back and playing some gigs at home?   Jaff: ‘Absolutely, its always really good to play in England. We’ve been really surprised at how its gone so well in America to be honest. But you know, its always nice to come home. We played in Newcastle two nights ago in front of a home crowd. Me Mam and Dad came for the first time ever, girlfriends and stuff were there, your pals. We feel really welcomed back, its been a warm reception.’   Gigwise: Were there any differences with the crowds in America?   Jaff: ‘The only difference I would say is that we played a lot of over twenty one only shows in America. So the crowd either get really pissed and they start lashing themselves around, or they’re a bit standy still you know. Younger kids seem to enjoy our music a bit more so I think its better to play at all ages shows.’   Gigwise: You had a pretty good job opening for Franz, how did it go?   Jaff: ’You couldn’t really ask for a better tour could you if you’re a band like us. They’ve helped us a lot you know, their fans enjoyed us and came to see us when we went back in our right. And that’s the point of doing support tours, apart from actually doing great gigs. The Franz guys were lovely and their a great band.’   Gigwise: Is that the best way to go in America, to start as the support group?   Jaff: ‘Its funny like, people say you shouldn’t really do support tours in America, cos you should just try and break it on your own. And I kind of agree with them in a way, you need to just try and make a name for yourself. But on a tour like the Franz one where we were pretty much sent to win some fans over, its beneficial to do that. You’ve got to try and tap into their audience really.’   Gigwise: What are your plans for the new year, building on this years success?   Jaff: ‘Well we’ve got this tour until next Friday, then we’ve got Christmas off. A bit of time off with our girlfriends. In January we’re shooting a video in LA and doing the NME Tour. American Tour February, UK Headline tour March. Then we’ve got to play Europe, Japan, Australia, America and the UK again before September. And all the Festivals as well, as many as we can get.’   Gigwise: It’s sound as though you like to keep busy as a band?   Jaff: ‘Absolutely, and then we start recording in September for the new record’   Gigwise: Have you got any new stuff for the new record?   Jaff: ‘Yeah, we’ve been working on stuff ‘on the road’ as they say. It’s hard to write on the road, but Barry’s had a few ideas kicking about for a while I think so it should be easy enough.’   Gigwise: Do you think it will be similar to the first record, or are you looking to move on?   Jaff: ‘I think we would be trying to develop it a bit, It’d be boring to do the same thing again. You’ve got to try and challenge yourself you know, you’ve got to write better songs, to sing better, to play the bass better, guitars better, drums better. Just get on with improving as a musician and a song writer.’